FREE: Ashtray with cooper lid ?

This is called a silent butler. It is used for smoking material , but does not let the smoke or cigarette or cigar smell out. I used to own one, but mine was brass. F & w. Please fan back.

LOl so glad I helped you. I am surprised that no one else has responded and remembered what it was. Great Auction.

I wanna help. It isn't a silent butler, it's for steno cans. Look up "silent butler" on ebay. Nothing like it. could be but I collect. Doesn't resemble any of them

I have a brass ashtray similar to this.......from Bulgaria. Mine doesn't have a handle, just a lid that hinges open with a 'cigarette rest' on the underside of the lid. I would say an ash tray in my humble opinion....:-)

Definitely not for sterno cans. What would be the use? Is not practical. It is definitely a silent butler. I do know that. continuing to watch. Does it have any type of markings?

A silent butler is actually an ash can used for walking around emptying ash trays, and this is not one. I say that for one reason. It can't be opened easily while walking around holding it in one hand while picking up the ash trays with the other. But it is identical to old sterno can holder that looks like it would go to a serving piece double boiler,that would set on the serving or buffet table or even a fondu type serving dish. It looks to small to be a piece that would have been used in an open hearth. At least these are my guesses, and reasons behind them. Any marking on it?

It's still a vintage sterno holder. I have one close to this. But it's a silent butler. I loose. Just trying to help

your right ginamerritt it is a sterno can holder, not a silent butler. The point of it, someone wanted to know is that with that sliding handle/lid, you control out hot the flame get, or how high, This piece could have been a part of a serving dish, or something a caterer would have used.

It could be a childs bed warmer...there are others that a bigger with longer handles. Put coals inside and slide under bed to keep you warm...?

There seem to be a lot of silent butlers......some as bed warmers, some as crumb catchers, some as ash trays, and some as ash tray/crumb catchers. I believe size has much to do with it. A bed warmer would certainly be larger than this appears, and crumb catchers can be various sizes and shapes. I think it is small for sterno, but hey seems like it's anybody's guess. The one I have....definitely an ashtray only. It is small. I also have crumb catchers....no bed warmers. Interesting.